Anchoring device for tape-measures.



A. A. RICHARDSON.

ANGHORING DEVICE FOR TAPE MEASURES.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 16, 1913.

Patented July 7, 1914.

I'HE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTOJJTMH WASNINGTDN D. C

rmrrnn STATES ALONZO A. RICHARDSON,

OF CHICO, CALIFORNIA.

ANCHOBING DEVICE FOR TAPE-MEASURES.

Application filed July 16, 1913.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July '7, 1914.

Serial No. 779,330.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ALONZO A. RICHARD- soN,-a citizen of the United States, residing at Chico, in the county of Butte and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Anchoring Devices for Tape-Measures, of which the following is a specification, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to tape measures, and it more particularly relates to an improved anchoring device for tape measures.

,An object of the invention is to provide an anchoring device of this character whereby the free end of the tape measure may be quickly, easily, and securely fastened to the end of a piece of timber, lumber, metal pipe or sheet, or to any substantial projection thereon or cavity therein, so that the tape measure may be manipulated by one person with the same ease and accuracy as by two persons.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is simple of construction,light, strong and durable, comparatively inexpensive and thoroughly effective for the purposes intended.

In the accompanying drawings which supplement this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and shown applied to the end of a fragment of timber; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device as herein disclosed applied to a nail projecting from a piece of timber; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device as herein disclosed engaged with the base of a stud which is seated on a horizontal piece of timher; and Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring to these drawings, in which similar reference characters correspond with similar parts throughout the several views, the numeral 5 designates a fragment of a tape measure having the slotted and folded plate 6 secured thereto by means of rivets 7. The slot 8 is located medially and extends longitudinally of the plate 6, which latter is bent upon itself at its medial portion and medially of the slot 8, so as to form a cylindrical bearing 9. Within the bearing 9 is a medially apertured pivot member 10,

the medial aperture 11 of which extends diametrically therethrough, and through this aperture extends the pivot element 12, which consists of a reduced end portion of 1 the stem or shank 13, formed integrally with a loop 14 and a toothed arm 15. The arm 15 issubstantially at right angles to the shank 13, while both the shank and the arm are located tangentially with relation to the loop 14..

The pivot 12 is provided with a head 16 which prevents its disengagement from the aperture 11 While allowing it to rotate freely therein. It will be seen that the shank 13 and head 16 co-act with the sides of the slot 8 for preventing longitudinal movement of the pivot 10 in the cylinder 9. The teeth 17 of the arm 15 point in the direction of the cylinder 9, and these teeth may be of any preferred formation, being sharp and relatively hard, so as to bite into the hard surfaces of metal or other materials and prevent slipping thereof.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that this tape may be lowered into a well into contiguity with its wall, so that the teeth 17 will engage with any projection at the bottom of the well or at any desired point therein, for measuring the well, Without the necessity for descending thereinto.

It is also obvious that the tape may be lowered from the roof or a window of a building and caused to engage with a projection at or near the base of the building, for measuring the height of the building. Similarly, the free end of the tape may be carried up a ladder, and the teeth may be engaged with any projection on a building, tree, pole, mast, etc., and the measurement of the same thereby easily ascertained by one person.

The loop 14 may be secured to any projec tion which will enter therethrough, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the loop and arm 15 may either be caused to lie in a plane at right angles to the surface of thetape or coincident with the plane of the tape, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that my invention is applicable to many uses to which the ordinary tape measure is not ap plicable, and that the foregoing objects are easily accomplished thereby in a thoroughly effective manner.

I do not limit my invention to the exact details of construction, and arrangement of parts herewith illustrated and described, but my invention may only be limited by a reasonable interpretation of the claims.

I claim '1. In combination with a tape measure, a medially and longitudinally slotted plate folded upon itself medially of the slot so as to provide a pivot bearing, a medially and diametrically apertured pivot extending through the pivot bearing, and means journaled in the aperture of the said pivot for engaging with an external object.

2. In an anchoring device fortape measures, a member including a pivot bearing and adapted to be secured to the end of the tape measure a diametrically apertured pivot journaled in the pivot bearing, and means extending through the diametrical 1 aperture of the pivot and rotatable therein for engaging with an external object.

. 3. In combination with a tape measure, an objectengaging device comprising a loo and an arm and a shank substantially at right angles to the arm and tangentialto the loop, said shank being pivotally connected to the free end of the tape measure and adapted to be turned in a plane at right angles to the plane of the tape measure and also adapted to be turned in a plane coincident with the plane of the tape measure.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

- A ALONZO A. RICHARDSON.

Witnesses: v

LEO A. HAND, JOHN WALLACE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five centsieach, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washingtqn, D. 0. g 

